BFS Current Story

Beavers Travel to Husky Stadium Today

10-18-2008 - The Beavers are in cold and damp Husky Stadium in Seattle today for a game with much meaning for the Beavers. It is a game that back 6 weeks ago when you looked at the schedule and games you had to win, you put a check mark by this game.

The remaining schedule is tougher with only two road games remaining. ASU, @UCLA, CAL, @ARI., ORE. So when you look at this game today. It becomes a must win game for the Beavers. A win moves the Beavers into the top of the conference, esentially a tie for second or possibly first if Cal drops its game today at Arizona. And that is possible considering Arizona beat Cal last year at Cal.

So this game becomes a very important win for the Beavers in their chase for a bowl berth and for a chance at a share of the PAC-10 lead. Even with 3 disappointing losses so far this season we have seen what this team is capable of doing when they play to their potential. If the Beavers continue to improve and play hard they have a chance to finish high or even first in the PAC-10. We do hold the tie-breaker vs USC.

This game is also important to my family as my niece and her husband are Husky fans in Seattle and my other niece and her husband are Cougar fans. One thing we all have in common is we all hate the Ducks. But back to that in a few weeks.

The Beavers come into this game tied for forth in the PAC-10 at 2-1 in conference and the Huskies come in tied for last with Washington State with no wins but technically 9th at 0-3. In fact the Huskies have not won a game this season and are 0-5 overall. The Beavers do not want to be their first win of the season and I expect the Beavers to come out and really put it to the Huskies early. I look for the Beavers to once again establish the ground game with Quizz and James Rodgers, then stretch the defense by going deep early to Stroughter and Morales.

Look for another big game on the ground for Quizz with 125+ yards rushing and I also look for both Morales or Stroughter to go over 100 in receiving today.

BY THE NUMBERS

Key	STATISTIC	OSU	WASH	Advantage
.	Records	3-3(2-1)	0-5(0-3)	OSU
.	Scoring Offense	34.7	18.6	OSU
.	Scoring Defense	25.5	42.0	OSU
	Total Offense	435.5	307.2	OSU
	Total Defense	291.3	495.4	OSU
.	Rushing Offense	164.3	103.6	OSU
.	Rushing Defense	130.2	233.4	OSU
	Passing Offense	271.2	203.6	OSU
	Passing Defense	161.2	262.0	OSU
	Pass Efficiency	136.4	108.7	OSU
	Pass Defense Efficiency	115.1	188.5	OSU
.	Kickoff Returns	23.8	16.5	OSU
	Punt Return Average	8.8	-0.5	OSU
	Interceptions	5	0	OSU
.	Punting	32.6	32.7	WASH
	Kickoff Coverage	39.2	42.7	WASH
X	Field Goals	5/10=.500	1/4=.250	OSU
X	PAT Kicking	23/25=.920	12/13=.923	WASH
X	Sacks by	14	3	OSU
.	Sacks Against	8	15	OSU
.	First Downs	144	102	OSU
.	Opponent First Downs	97	125	OSU
.	3rd Down Conversions	42.9	53.2	WASH
x	3rd Down Defense	32.9	65.6	OSU
x	4th Down Conversions	55.6	50.0	OSU
.	4th Down Defense	66.7	50.0	WASH
.	Penalties	54.8	30.6	WASH
	Time of Possession	32.53	30.20	OSU
	Turnover Margin	+0	-3	OSU
X	Red Zone Offense	83.9	85.7	WASH
X	Red Zone Defense	94.1	87.0	WASH
.	Home Field Advantage	VISITOR	HOME	WASH
32	Totals	23	9	OSU

IThe Huskies rank at the or near the bottom of the conference in all defensive categories and have really struggled this season. They have played well at home though, giving undefeated BYU a real scare when a celebration call with no time left in the game cost the Huskies a chance to send the game into overtime. Husky stadium has been good to the Beavers in recent years, the Beavers have won their last 3 games at Husky stadium and 4 straight overall vs the Huskies. The Beavers are also 12-4 in road games in the months of Oct. , Nov. and Dec. in the last 4 years.

The Huskies look to be out for a little payback as last year in Corvallis the Huskies gave the Beavers all they could handle before Beaver cornerback Brandon Hughes took out Husky quarterback Jake Locker with a controverversial hit that took Locker out for the game and got three officials suspended for post season work.

The Beavers kicking game continues to be the weak spot on this team and it shows in the stats with Washington leading 3 of the 4 kicking categories. The Beavers need a solid performance today in windy Husky Stadium. Field position on punts is key to victory and the Beavers could use the field goals as well. Beaver kickers in the past have done well their in the past. Serna kicked a record 5 field goals and then came back to kick 4 the next year.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Beavers should win this game pretty easily if they continue to play strong on both sides of the ball. The Huskies defense has been a no show this season. The Beavers need to win the turnover battle and put this game away early. I look for another big game from Quizz and James Rodgers. Sammy Stroughter should also pick up some big yards.

FINAL SCORE

BEAVERS 38
HUSKIES 17

GO BEAVERS!

BFS